Welcome Class of 2028

Welcome Bowdoin Class of 2028! 

We look forward to exploring the living world with you. On this page we offer advice useful to you this summer and links to ease your exploration of opportunities in biology at Bowdoin.

Getting started

We offer two pathways for starting the Biology curriculum, both of which provide exposure to the discipline and preparation for success in later biology courses.

• Option 1: Start with Biology 1109 (Scientific Reasoning in Biology)
  Biology 1109 is a one-semester introductory biology course offered every semester. Students may enter intermediate (2000-level) biology courses after completing Biology 1109. This course explores biology from molecular interactions through ecosystem function, emphasizing the application of biological knowledge through problem-solving. The laboratory portion of the course allows students to gain experience with common techniques, statistical analysis, experimental design, and scientific writing. This course is designed for students with relatively stronger subject-matter preparation in biology.  
• Option 2: Start with Biology 1101 (Biological Principles I) followed by Biology 1102 (Biological Principles II)
  Biology 1101 is the first semester of a two-semester sequence. To take intermediate (2000-level) biology courses, students starting with Biology 1101 must also complete Biology 1102. Biology 1101 is offered every Fall semester and focuses on molecular interactions, genetics, metabolism, and cell biology. Biology 1102 is offered every Spring semester and focuses upon physiology, ecology and evolution. Both Biology 1101 and 1102 involve laboratories accomplishing the goals described above for Biology 1109 laboratories.

Where to Start
If you are considering taking a biology course at Bowdoin, you are required to take the Biology Placement Exam. The exam consists of several multiple-choice questions. Based on consideration of your responses, the outcome of your Quantitative Skills Exam, and your high school history of courses taking, the Biology Department will determine which of the two introductory biology options will be best for you. Some individuals will receive a request to “See department chair or Pam Bryer” instead of a firm placement; this is to prompt a conversation before arriving at a placement.  

Although we recommend that students start with Biology 1101 or 1109, students who earned a 5 on the AP Biology exam or a 7 on the higher level IB Biology exam combined with high scores on the biology placement and the Quantitative Skills Exam and who also have significant laboratory experience may be prepared to enter our curriculum at the 2000-level. The Biology Department will reach out to explore this possibility with appropriate students. Our AP and IB Credit Policy: The Biology Department uses AP and IB exam scores (along with performance on the Biology placement exam) to determine the most appropriate Biology course for each student. We do not award college credit for AP/IB courses.

Members of the Biology Department

Learn more about Biology faculty, laboratory instructors and other staff here: http://mco.vbj4.com/biology/faculty-and-staff/index.html

Select the name of any of us and discover what we will be teaching in the Fall semester (or what we do) along with more information about our research and other interests. Mentoring student research is a core responsibility of faculty. You can begin to identify faculty with whom you might in time wish to explore opportunities. More about student research opportunities here: http://mco.vbj4.com/biology/student-research/index.html 

Major concentrations in Biology

The Biology Department administers three courses of study, or concentrations: Integrative Biology (IB), Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB), and Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). One may choose to follow any of these three courses of study to complete a major in biology.

The IB concentration provides the most flexibility within the biology major, with required core course offerings covering three general categories based on their scales of inquiry: Group 1 includes topics primarily at the molecular and cellular level, Group 2 focuses on the scale of the whole organism, and Group 3 encompasses the larger scale of ecology and evolution. Beyond these core requirements, students are free to take elective credits focusing on any or all of these general scales of biological systems.

The EEMB concentration is intended for students who wish to focus their studies in the subdisciplines of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. It retains requirements for Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 core courses, then lays out a coherent but flexible course of study with emphasis on biological systems at the macro scale. 

The MCB concentration focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of life and how they are studied. Its required core courses are weighted toward Group 1 offerings, and recommended electives focus on the cellular and subcellular scales.

Students choose a course of study when choosing a major in their fourth semester and are free to switch between concentrations during their Bowdoin career. Many of the introductory and elective course expectations of the three concentrations overlap.

View the requirements of each concentration here: http://mco.vbj4.com/biology/requirements/index.html

Associated majors

The Biochemistry and Neuroscience majors draw from Biology and Chemistry or Psychology courses, respectively (and course from other departments) to compose their majors. Environmental Studies or Education can be completed as coordinate majors accompanying a Biology major. Completion of BIOL 1101 or 1109 can lead you down any of these paths, too.

Field Stations

Bowdoin maintains two field stations:

• Explore the nearby Schiller Coastal Studies Center here: http://mco.vbj4.com/coastal-studies-center/index.html 
• Explore the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy here: http://mco.vbj4.com/kent-island/index.html 

Careers

Bowdoin biologists pursue an extraordinary range of further training and careers. Learn about the paths of some graduates here: http://mco.vbj4.com/biology/alumni-and-careers/index.html 

A final word, for now

Worry not, you have eight semesters (and the summers between academic years) to develop your knowledge and skills and to pursue opportunities. All you truly need to do now is to take the Biology placement exam and reflect upon whether you wish to include Biology among your courses this coming fall semester. Enjoy the rest of your summer. We will see you soon.